The dog days of summer have turned into the dog days of fall fashion week.
On Wednesday afternoon, Rachel Antonoff and Susan Alexandra hosted their second joint “Best in Show” fashion show, a theatrical runway experience held at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Dumbo featuring both human and canine models. The designers’ ulterior motive? Get a bunch of dogs adopted. All the dogs featured in the show, wearing beaded Susan Alexandra accessories like leashes and collars, were available for adoption (with fees covered) through Animal Haven rescue.
”More dogs needed to be seen, you know? More dogs needed love and homes,” said Alexandra of the pair’s decision for the dog-redux. “It was so fun last year. Everyone said it was very meaningful to them, and just joyful. And when you have that feedback, it’s hard not to see how you can do it again.”
The downside to working with adoptable dogs? “Dogs got adopted as we were doing the casting,” added Alexandra.
“ But with the human casting, we were really able to be like, oh my god, wouldn’t this dress be such a dream on Christina Hendricks?” added Antonoff, whose designs were modeled by the human cast which featured friends and VIPs like Hendricks, Geraldine Viswanathan, Edie Falco, Dylan O’Brien, Gillian Jacobs and Claud. “That was really fun to tailor to the people.”
Ella Emhoff and AnnaSophia Robb
Gilbert Flores
The front row included more friends and family of the brand, including Madeline Brewer, Micaela Diamond, Lily Rabe, Christopher Abbott, Tommy Dorfman and Busy Philipps, AnnaSophia Robb, Ella Emhoff, Amy Ryan and more.
“ She really has such a specific kind of whimsy, and I feel so relaxed being here. There’s just a real sense of fun and joy,” said Rabe, who’s been friends with Antonoff ever since she sat next to the designer at a dinner. “And also, I love dogs — who doesn’t?” Rabe, who stars in Kogonada film “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” out Sept. 19, was just attending the show as a spectator, adding that she already has a dog BFF waiting for her at home: Bruce, named for none other than Bruce Springsteen.
“ I mean, if there are dogs, I wanna be there,” said Madeline Brewer, who was dressed in a “caviar” dress by Antonoff. “ My husband’s here somewhere wearing sardines,” added the actress. “We love tinned food.” Brewer is currently making her New York theater debut off-Broadway as Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“ It’s been dreamy,” Brewer said of the role, glancing down at her bright manicure. “I do feel like my red nails clash with almost everything, but luckily they’re kind of part of the vibe today. I’m taking a little bit of Audrey with me wherever I go.”
The show was emceed by commentators Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak as dogs were paraded around the room. At the end, three winners were crowned by judge Chris Fleming. At the top of the podium? Edie Falco and 7-year-old rat terrier mix Galadriel.
Edie Falco at the Susan Alexandra x Rachel Antonoff Dog Show.
Gilbert Flores/WWD
